Mount Whitney

Member descriptions, photos, and map locations of peaks above 13,000 feet in the High Sierra. This forum is for information only - discussions should be kept in the appropriate categories.
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Vaca Russ
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Mount Whitney

Post by Vaca Russ »

TITLE: Mount Whitney

GENERAL OVERVIEW: Mt. Whitney is the highest mountain in the contiguous United States. It is one of the most popular summits in the world. A permit is required to climb to the summit.

CLASS/DIFFICULTY: Class 1

LOCATION: Sequoia National Park HST Map

ELEVATION: 14,505 ft

USGS TOPO MAP (7.5'): USGS MOUNT WHITNEY Quad, California, Topographic Map

ROUTE DESCRIPTION: The easiest and most popular route is a 10.7 mile, well-constructed and maintained trail from Whitney Portal to the summit. Another route is to approach the summit from the west via the John Muir Trail. There are also more technical routes including the Mountaineer’s Route. (Other route descriptions are a WIP)

PHOTOS: To reach the trailhead, take Whitney Portal Road from Lone Pine.
01 Whitney.jpg
It is best to get an Alpine Start when summiting Whitney. The new trailhead is at an elevation of 8360 feet.
1 Trail Start.jpg
Take 26 switchbacks to Lone Pine Lake. It is 2.8 miles from the trailhead and at an elevation of 9960 feet.
2 Pine Lake.jpg
Outpost Camp is 3.8 miles from the trailhead and at an elevation of 10,365 feet.
3 Outpost Camp.jpg
Mirror Lake is 4.3 miles from the trailhead and at an elevation of 10,640 feet.
4 Mirror Lake.jpg
Trailside Meadow is 5.3 miles from the trailhead and at an elevation of 11,359 feet.
5 Trailside Meadow.jpg
This little tarn at Trail Camp is your last reliable source of water. Please treat your water if you use this tarn. Trail camp is 6.3 miles from the trailhead and at an elevation of 12,039 feet.
7 Trail Camp.jpg
From Trail Camp you have a clear view of the east face of the escarpment…
8 Sierra Crest.jpg
…and the peak of Mt. Whitney.
9 Sierra Crest Peak.jpg
From here you begin your hike up the notorious 97 switchbacks. This part of the trail you will gain 1738 feet in 2.5 miles.

At about halfway up the switchbacks you will cross a wet slick section of granite. Cable hand rails have been installed to ensure your safety.
10 Cables.jpg
To be continued…
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Last edited by ERIC on Sun Aug 18, 2013 11:05 am, edited 3 times in total.
Reason: fixed HST Map link and edited topic title to conform with forum guidelines
"...Or have you only comfort, and the lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest, and then becomes a host and then a master?"

Kahil Gibran.
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Vaca Russ
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Re: The Big One

Post by Vaca Russ »

Eventually you will reach Trail Crest. Trail Crest is 8.5 miles from the trailhead and at an elevation of 13,777 feet.
11 Trail Crest.jpg
From here you can see your objective, the cabin on the summit.
12 Summit Cabin.jpg
Shortly after reach Trail Crest you enter Sequoia Nation Park. This is why you can’t take your puppies on this climb. :(
13 Trail Crest.jpg
Next you reach the Whitney Summit Trail / John Muir Trail Junction.
14 John Muir Trail Junction.jpg
The trail junction is 9 miles from the trailhead and at an elevation of 13,480 feet.
15 Trail Junction.jpg
Continuing north along the trail you will pass spectacular views between the “Windows”.
16 Window.jpg
17 Window.jpg
The trail now degrades a little bit as it hugs the eroded west side of the escarpment.
18 Backside Trail.jpg
Eventually you will see the summit cabin.
19 Summit Cabin.jpg
And then after a short jaunt you will find yourself at the cabin.
20 cabin.jpg
To be continued…
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"...Or have you only comfort, and the lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest, and then becomes a host and then a master?"

Kahil Gibran.
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Vaca Russ
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Re: The Big One

Post by Vaca Russ »

This cabin was erected in 1909.
21 Cabin Plaque.jpg
Occasionally there may be a threat from lightening.
22 Lightning Sign.jpg
Be sure to hit the “Easy Button” after you sign the register.
23 Register.jpg
“THAT WAS EASY!”

Sport with Langley in the background.
24 Sport & Langley.jpg
There are several benchmarks.
26 Benchmark.jpg
There is also a tablet.
27 Tablet.jpg
There are tame marmots always looking for a snack.
28 Vermin.jpg
There are great views of Hitchcock and Guitar Lakes.
29 Hitchcock & Guitar.jpg
That is Mt. Russell in the distance.
29a Russell.jpg
You may get lucky and find a model to display your homemade sign. :)
30 Sport Summit.jpg
Please feel free to add more information or correct any mistakes I made.

Thanks,

-Russ
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"...Or have you only comfort, and the lust for comfort, that stealthy thing that enters the house a guest, and then becomes a host and then a master?"

Kahil Gibran.
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kd6swa
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Re: The Big One

Post by kd6swa »

Congratulations Vaca Russ and Sport. You have had an action packed summer so far! =D>
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austex
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Re: The Big One

Post by austex »

Congrats Russ you too Sport. Your gas bill must be pricey! BTW Sport is ALWAYS smiling even the shots at the Portal at o-dark thirty. Between her and the "kids" you got a good thing going! I think there are others here that would agree! :nod:
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